Tips for Developing your Professional Skills in 2018

What will you do differently to enhance your Project Management practice in 2018?

In this short New Year article, I’ll tell you what my New Year’s resolutions are, as a project manager. And I’ll also share my tips for developing your professional skills.

So, Let’s Start with my New Year’s Resolutions…

In 2018, I plan to refine different aspects of how I communicate with OnlinePMCourses.com customers.

But, I also have two project management oriented resolutions for 2018.

The major one will be to develop video training that follows the PMBOK 6th Edition. I plan to create a study program that students can use to work towards either their CAPM or PMP qualifications. If you are wondering: PMP or CAPM, the linked article will help you think through your choice.

My side project is long overdue. I was a practicing PM, in the days before Agile had a name. Then, a lot of what I did was agile… but with a small a. So, I have never studied formal Agile methodologies… with a big A. 2018 will be the year I put that right! I’ll be using the wealth of training from my friends Chuck Cobb and Chris O’Halloran.

And what are my Tips for Developing your Professional Skills in 2018?

As you’d expect, my first recommendations are to:

• select one of our Project Management courses – core programs and skills for project managers
• read some of our free articles

But, seriously, my tip is to pick one small detail of your professional practice each quarter.

Then, work hard to refine it to the best you can get.

And then pick another for the next quarter.

Here are some examples:

1. The way you conduct one-on one meetings
2. How you negotiate scope with your stakeholders
3. The commitment and optimism you show to your team
4. Handling conflict in a positive way
5. How you anticipate setbacks and deviations from plan
6. Managing Change as part of your project

Whatever you Choose to Prioritize in 2018…

I wish you a happy, healthy, and professionally fulfilling 2018.

All the very best
Mike